Risk Assessment

Health and safety hazards are present in virtually every workplace. Regardless of the industry, the location or the processes involved, the employees of a workplace are likely to be at risk of injury or illness as a result of an occupational health or safety hazard. Let’s begin by clarifying the difference between a hazard and a risk. A hazard is defined in OHSAS 18001 (a standard that sets requirements for occupational health and safety management systems) as a source or situation with a potential for harm in terms of human injury or ill health, damage to property, damage to the workplace environment, or a combination of these. Risk is defined as the combination of likelihood and consequence(s) of a specified hazardous event occurring. For example, a hazard may be blood contaminated with an infectious disease. The associated risk would be the potential for a health care worker to contract that disease through exposure to the blood. It is then necessary to assess that risk, to determine what controls are needed to protect the workers.

There are many regulations that address risk assessment in various ways. But whether or not it is a legal requirement, every company should conduct risk assessments, to protect their employees and the interests of the organization. Injuries and illnesses lead to medical bills, lost work time and workers compensation expenses – all of which are contrary to a company’s goals to achieve maximum productivity at minimum cost. But what is a risk assessment, and where do you start?

Referring again to OHSAS 18001, a risk assessment is the overall process of estimating the magnitude of risk and deciding whether or not the risk is tolerable. There are four basic steps in the risk assessment process, which should be carried out throughout your organization:

1. Establish the context (identify the task or work process involved)
2. Identify hazards associated with that task or work process
3. Identify the risks that may result from those hazards
4. Evaluate the risks (severity, frequency, intensity of exposure, etc.)

One systematic way to identify and assess your risks is to use risk assessment software. CMA is a distributor for a checklist based software system that can help you to identify and evaluate all of the risks in your workplace. If you are interested in purchasing this software, contact CMA or go directly to our Order Page. Once you understand the magnitude of the risks, you can decide how best to treat or manage the risks in order to protect your workers. There are many methods of treating risks, but the preferred order follows the hierarchy below:

1. Eliminate the hazard at the source
2. Substitute a less hazardous product or process
3. Redesign equipment or work processes to minimize hazards
4. Isolate the hazard through engineering controls
5. Implement administrative controls (procedures and work instructions)
6. Train employees to make them aware of hazards
7. Provide or require personal protective equipment (PPE)

Personal protective equipment is to be considered a last resort. All efforts should be made to prevent the exposure of an employee to an occupational health & safety hazard where possible. Following these steps will help you to ensure the health and safety of your employees and visitors to your workplace. If you would like more information, templates, or assistance with conducting an OH&S risk assessment in your workplace, call CMA.